Envelope opening device



. NOV. 4, 1969 H, R, ERDLEY 3,476,043

'ENVELOPE OPENING DEVICE Filed June 7, 1967 INVENTOR.

HAROLD R. ERDLEY United States Patent O 3,476,043 ENV ELOPE OPENINGDEVICE Harold R. Erdley, Road 2, Milllinburg, Pa. 17844 Filed June 7,1967, Ser. No. 644,238 Int. Cl. B26d 5/08 US. Cl. 83-575 v 2 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An envelope opening apparatus which will cutapproximately 1&4 to 1A00 of an inch from the edge of the envelopewithout cutting the material enclosed within the envelope having apivotable blade which is electrically operated through the use ofpush-pull electro-magnets, the magnets effecting a shearing actionagainst a shearing edge with respect to the pivotable blade of theapparatus. This apparatus serves to quickly and efficiently openenvelopes.

This invention relates to cutting devices, and more particularly to anelectrically operated envelope opener.

It is therefore the main purpose of this invention to provide anenvelope opening device in which the blade serves as a stop and guide tocut a narrow strip from the edge of an envelope allowing the material tobe removed therefrom without damage to the material.

Another object of this invention is to provide an envelope openingdevice which may be plugged into a Wall receptacle and may be used upona desk, counter or in any desired area to facilitate the quick openingof envelopes in order that their contents may be read in an eX- peditedmanner.

Another object of this invention is to provide an envelope openingdevice which will have a pivotable cutting blade which operates againsta shear edge located on the top surface of the device and the depth ofcut may be controlled by changing a shim secured to the pivotablecutting blade.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma consideration of the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactoryembodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includesall such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the present invention shown in elevation andpartly broken away; and

FIGURE 2 is an end view of FIGURE 1.

According to this invention, an envelope opening device is provided witha rectangular base 11, the bottom surface 12 resting upon any desiredsurface such as a desk or the like. Device 10 is provided with verticalwalls 13 and 13 which supports a top wall 14 upon which the envelope 15is placed. Top wall 14 is provided with a hard metallic shear edge 16against which blade 17 will strip the edge of envelope 15 therefrom.Elongated cutting blade 17 is pivoted upon pin 18 which is secured atright angles to Wall 19 of device 10. Wall 19 is also secured to base 11and provides support means for the pivotable blade 17 and its associatedcomponents which hereinafter will be described. A shim 20 may be screwedto blade 17 by means of screws 21 in order to change the thickness ofcut from the edge of envelope 15 and the clippings from the envelope 15fall into the receiving area 22 of device 10. A pair of push-pullelectro-magnets 23 and 24 provides actuating means for the cutting blade17. Electro-magnet 23 is provided with a repel portion 25 and 3,476,043Patented Nov. 4, 1969 ICC an attraction portion 26 while theelectro-magnet 24 is provided with a repel portion 27 and an attractionportion 28, switches 29 and 30* respectively providing the circuitclosing and opening means for the operation of cutting blade 17. A cord31 and its associated male plug 32 when plugged into a receptacle (notshown) provides power electrically for the operation of device 10.

In use, the blade 17 which shears a strip from envelope 15 so that thecontents may be removed is controlled by two electro-magnets 23 and 24.When the switch 29 is closed current flows to the attraction portion 26of electromagnet 23 and to the repel portion 27 of electro-magnet 24thus causing the pivotable blade 17 to be held in the upward position.When switch 30 is closed a reversal of current is effected through theopposite portions 25 and 28 of magnets 23 and 24 thus suddenly andeffectively pivoting blade 17 down to shear a strip or clipping from theenvelope 15.

It will =be noted that blade 17 should be as heavy as convenientlypossible to impart a greater inertia upon it when it is released for thedown stroke to shear a strip from envelope 15.

It shall further be noted that shims 20 may be of various sizes inthickness to allow for the desired cut upon envelope 15.

What I now claim is:

1. An envelope opening device comprising a base, side walls, a top wall,and a rear supporting wall, pivotable blade means carried by said devicefor shearing a strip from the edge of an envelope, said top wallproviding support means for said envelope, said envelope being urgedagainst said pivotable blade member in order for said blade member topivot downwardly to remove a strip from the edge of said envelope thusexposing the contents of said envelope, a pair of push-pull magnetscarried by said device providing lifting means for said blade, switchmeans carried by said device providing control of said blade, said bladeacting in concert with a hardened shear edge secured to said top wall ofsaid device, a pin providing pivot means :for said cutting blade, saidpin being secured to the back wall of said device, the lifting of saidblade being accomplished by a push button switch, said pushbutton switchclosing a circuit to said pair of magnets, one positioned above and theother positioned below said cutting blade so that when said switch isdepressed, one of said magnets attracts while the other repels and thusholds said blade in the upper position.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein a second switch whendepressed by the user of said device closes a circuit to reverse thepolarity of said pair of magnets Which through magnetic flux action andthe inertia of said blade will suddenly shear the strip from saidenvelope, said strip falling into a clipping receiving area within thebody of said device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 195,407 9/1877 See 83--912 X938,741 1l/1909 Campbell 83-912 X 1,197,788 9/1916 Bircher 83-912 X1,833,549 11/1931 Anderson 83-912 X 2,592,699 4/ 1952 Iflland 83-912 X2,679,098 5/1954 Deicken 83--912 X 3,260,445 7/1966 Wiseman 83-575 XFOREIGN PATENTS 803,269- 7/1949 Germany.

WILLIAM S. LAWSON, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

